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Why does world folklore remember male dragon slayers like Sigurd and Saint George while erasing the women who faced the beasts? Host Daniel Farrand sits down with classicist, broadcaster, and author Jasmine Elmer to explore her book, SLAY: The Hidden History of Female Dragon Slayers. From Saint Margaret bursting out of a dragon's stomach to the Japanese diver Tokoyo battling an ocean serpent with a dagger between her teeth, Dan and Jasmine deconstruct global serpent lore. They investigate why Old Norse mythology reserved dragon-slaying strictly for male dynasts, how Christian monastic scribes reshaped oral traditions, and the fundamental psychological difference in slaying motivations: male heroes fought for gold and status, while women fought out of necessity and survival. Unlock 300+ episodes and bonus Q&As on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast | Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com GET JASMINE ELMER'S BOOK "SLAY": Order Jasmine's book and explore her ancient history work: 👉 Book: SLAY: The Hidden History of Female Dragon Slayers 👉 Podcast: It's All Ancient History 👉 Instagram: @jas_elmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to complete a doctoral dissertation in archaeology—and what secrets lie within the Oseberg ship's fragile textiles? Daniel Farrand sits down with co-host and in-house archaeologist Margrethe (Mags) Havgar to deconstruct her PhD research: Tracing Threads of Thought: A visual exploratory reanalysis of the creatures of the Oseberg tapestries and their rhythms. Mags details her four-year journey analyzing Scandinavia’s largest Viking Age textile find, debunking persistent myths along the way. She explains how early archaeologists labeled the Oseberg ship a fragile "pleasure craft" due to gendered bias and reconstruction errors, why the tapestries functioned like narrow 6-to-9-inch narrative comic strips, and how bird and serpent figures were deliberately arranged to guide the human eye. Unlock our entire 300+ episode archive and the exclusive extended patron Q&A on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast | Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do the Vikings hold a level of global brand recognition unmatched by almost any other ancient culture? Daniel Farrand and in-house archaeologist Max Haggar sit down with Prof. Tom Birkett and Dr. T. Liam Waters from University College Cork to explore NorseMap—a five-year ERC research project tracking 200 years of Viking public reception. Through their citizen science app, iViking, the team is mapping how Norse imagery is adapted across commercial branding, street art, tourism, and politics. The group explores why people self-police their own accuracy around horned helmets, how 19th-century Viking literature helped forge the American cowboy ethos, why tech startups rebrand Vikings as corporate "disruptors", and how the project navigates the ethics of political misappropriation. Explore NorseMap: https://www.norsemap.eu/s/main/page/home Unlock 300+ back-catalogue episodes and bonus Q&As on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast | Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Viking warriors fight with uncoordinated brute force, or were they practitioners of a refined martial art? Daniel Farrand and in-house archaeologist Max Haggar sit down with historical swordsman and weapon researcher Roland Warzecha (Dimicator) to deconstruct how early medieval combat actually functioned. ​Warzecha explains how Old Norse sagas and archaeological finds treat the sword as an ensouled, living entity rather than a disposable tool. Drawing on decades of experimental combat research, he details why authentic swords featured short grips designed for fine-motor control, how mirror polishing prevented salt-water corrosion on long voyages, and how testing with sharp blades revealed why swords dominate longer weapons like spears. Finally, the trio analyzes the physics of authentic round shields, debunking the cinematic "shield wall" in favor of dynamic single combat. ​Unlock 300+ back-catalogue episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast | Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be a "Viking" in 2026? Daniel Farrand and in-house archaeologist Mags Haggar sit down with fitness creator and storyteller Tank Tolman to examine the divide between historical Norse reality and modern warrior culture. Historically, "víking" was a seasonal maritime raid, not an ethnic identity. Today, however, millions look to Norse archetypes to reclaim discipline and mental resilience. The trio breaks down why toxic, shame-based "alpha" gym culture fails, how the Hávamál champions hospitality and self-control, and why the ancient concept of the drengr—honour, loyalty, and quiet competence—is what modern seekers are actually searching for. Tank also explains how his gamified tabletop fitness community helps beginners build lifelong physical strength without shame. Unlock 300+ back-catalogue episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Farrand and archaeologist Mags Havgar sit down with Viking art specialist Luciano Pezzoli (co-founder of Children of Ash) to decode "The Language of Viking Art." Rather than viewing Norse knotwork and animal styles as abstract decoration, Pezzoli reveals how Scandinavian craftsmen operated within a structured linguistic system designed to communicate lineage, mythology, and cultural identity without written text.  ​The conversation explores how 6th-century Vendel brooches depict recurring mythological "memes," how the stern carvings of the Oseberg ship encode multi-generational ancestral genealogies leading to a narrative climax, and why Norse artisans embraced composite beasts that defied rigid species boundaries.  ​Unlock our full back-catalogue of 300+ episodes and the exclusive extended bonus Q&A with Luciano on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast Authentic handcrafted historical horns and jewelry: https://www.hornsofodin.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Farrand sits down with Brett Thorn, Keeper of Archaeology at Discover Bucks Museum, to explore their landmark exhibition, The Saxons. The discussion centers on two extraordinary early medieval burials: the 6th-century "Marlow Warlord"—a solitary, 6ft 4in warrior buried overlooking the Thames with an intact pattern-welded sword, broken spears, and continental bronze feasting cauldrons—and the 7th-century Taplow Princely Burial, Britain’s richest pagan grave before the discovery of Sutton Hoo.  ​Thorn explains how sentinel burials marked volatile river borders, how micro-foil waffle stamps gave garnet jewelry its luminous sparkle, and why delicate blown-glass cone beakers dismantle the myth of the crude "Dark Ages."  ​Unlock our complete back-catalogue of 300+ episodes and the exclusive bonus Q&A covering the 144-grave Wendover cemetery on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast | Handcrafted historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faroese artist and composer Eivør joins Daniel Farrand (Horns of Odin) and archaeologist Mags Havgar to explore her forthcoming album, Tungl. Eivør unpacks the elemental forces of the Faroe Islands, the creative philosophy behind recording in a round coastal house in Velbastaður, and the emotional resonance behind lead tracks like "Healer," "Walls," and "Trapped". From childhood memories of mountain trolls to the necessity of organic band collaboration in an era dominated by AI and sterile production, this conversation explores how ancient folklore and lived vulnerability converge in modern Nordic composition. Unlock our full back-catalogue of 300+ episodes, exclusive bonus Q&As, and unedited live streams on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast Handcrafted horns and historical goods: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who were the Frisians, and why has their powerful early medieval realm been overlooked in North Sea history? In this episode, Daniel Farrand and Margrethe Havgar are joined by researcher and YouTuber Hilbert Vinkenoog (History with Hilbert) to uncover the forgotten kingdom of Medieval Frisia. Wedged between Anglo-Saxon England, Frankish Gaul, and Viking Age Scandinavia, Frisia commanded vital waterways and maintained a distinct, fiercely independent coastal culture. Discover the legendary pagan ruler King Redbad, explore how Frisian warriors allied with Viking fleets on pirate raids across Europe, and learn about the extraordinary archaeology of the terpen—artificial settlement mounds holding treasures rivaling Sutton Hoo.  Support the show and unlock exclusive bonus Q&A episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nordicmythologypodcast Explore handcrafted Nordic items at Horns of Odin: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan interviews Jameson Foster as they discuss the complexities of defining Nordic folk music. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Jameson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesonfoster.wav Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan catches up with longtime friend of the podcast, Jonas Lorentzen, to talk about his musical projects and the importance of respect and authenticity in art. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Jonas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonaslorentzenmusic Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan talks mead halls with Stephen Pollington, the man who literally wrote the book all about their cultural impact in the Viking world. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Stephen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenpollington Also, check out his books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B001HCVE1Y Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan sits down with one of the legends of modern ritual and folk-inspired music, Maria Franz. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariafranzartist Also, follow her dog Luna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunathetourdog Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan and Mags are joined by good friend of the podcast, Adam Bierstedt, to discuss how much of an impact Viking Mania has had around the world. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Adam on the Museum of Danish America's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danishmuseum Follow Margrethe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkeomags Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Dan welcomes Natalie Hopwood to the podcast to discuss mythological creatures and monsters, exploring their representations in sagas and their cultural significance. ------------------------------------------------ Follow Natalie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queen_bunnyforest Follow the Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nordicmythologypodcast If you like what we do and would like to be in the audience for live streams of new episodes to ask questions, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NordicMythologypodcast Check out Dan's company, Horns of Odin, and the wide range of handmade items inspired by Nordic Mythology and the Viking Age. Visit: https://www.hornsofodin.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.